Collingwood Grain Terminals

Photo by Dave West Photography

The Town seeks to support a healthy, strong, and vibrant community that recognizes the value of its history and heritage, while responsibly managing for a solid fiscal future. Town Council is deeply interested in the Community’s input on the Grain terminals and wishes to consider local beliefs and desires for the Terminals’ future and the future of the Collingwood Waterfront

Collingwood’s active harbour is a spectacular asset that contributes to Collingwood’s reputation for offering a high quality of life. The Harbour is also host to the iconic Collingwood Grain Terminals.

A decision on the future of the Collingwood Grain Terminals must be made in the next several years, otherwise the opportunity to preserve and re-use them will be significantly decreased due to deterioration.

The Town is carrying an $8M unfunded financial liability on the Grain Terminals, which represents a realistic cost to demolish the building. A recent engineering report presents demolition costs at $5M, and estimates the cost to preserve the roof and façade (not including renovating the interior space for use) at $10M. Staff’s preliminary estimate for raising the access road, to enable reliable four-season use and bringing utilities to the site, is an additional $3M.

Council is deeply interested in the Community’s input on the Grain terminals, and wishes to consider local beliefs and desires for the Terminals’ future and the future of the Collingwood Waterfront.

Public Input was sought on three process options or a hybridization of them that will move us toward a Council decision on the optimal physical end state and type(s) of use. The three process options are as follows:

• The Town can “Seek Funded Proposals for Evaluation and Decision”. This option will, via a formal Expressions of Interest process, seek development partners or buyers who can bring assets to the table that will enhance the outcomes for the Town, including for the people who live, work, and play here.
  - Learn more about this Process Option in the Collingwood Grain Terminals White Paper
  
  
• The Town can carry out “Environmental Remediation of the Marine Tower, with Steering Committee review of Additional Investigation of Unknowns and Opportunities”. This option will see the Town move forward with $2M marine tower work immediately, while also creating the Terms of Reference for and selection of a steering committee, and further consulting on the community’s and potential partners’ needs and ideas.
  - Learn more about this Process Option in the Collingwood Grain Terminals White Paper
  
  
• The Town can “Seek Business Opportunities for the East End (Sailing School) Building, Top Floor above Silos and Towers”. This option would see the Town seek about $800,000 in annual income from commercial venture(s) in the east end building, the two towers, the top floor above the silos, or even the space around the terminals. This would support needs such as the initial preservation investment, bringing utilities to the site and raising the roadway, and saving for the next renovation cycle.
  - Learn more about this Process Option in the Collingwood Grain Terminals White Paper

The full execution of any of these options may take several years to complete. Council will need to maintain minimum maintenance and operations of the Terminals to ensure the Health and Safety of staff, contractors, and the limited building users.

Engagement Opportunities:
The Town of Collingwood will offer meaningful two-way communication with residents. Our accessible community will empower all to participate in discussions, engage in activities, obtain information, and provide feedback and opinions.

At the Public Open House held December 10, 2019, that featured an information booth on the Collingwood Grain Terminals White Paper and Process Options. The public had great discussions on initiatives of interest with Council and Staff.

Further Public Engagement Opportunities will be posted on the timeline on the right side of this page and shared widely via our website, Facebook, Twitter and Town Pages in the Collingwood Connection.